Goddess Game A charming contemporary fantasy about second chances and self-discovery by Sheila Lee Brown Book Tour with Guest Post and Author Q&A

What if you always knew the safest path—until suddenly, you didn’t?

Bethany Hart has spent her life using a secret superpower: the ability to see possible futures and choose the least risky path through any social situation. For decades, she’s avoided conflict, surprises, and heartbreak, crafting a quiet, predictable life.

But when a chance encounter with a charming stranger at the grocery store causes her ability to glitch—offering her a glimpse of a perfect future before vanishing entirely—Bethany is left navigating life without her supernatural safety net. As awkward mishaps mount and long-buried emotions resurface, she begins to wonder: has her gift been protecting her, or holding her back?

With the support of her best friend Jenna, her unexpectedly wise ex-husband Caleb, and a mysterious spiritual guide named Fiona, Bethany embarks on a journey of self-discovery. She soon realizes that true strength isn’t found in controlling every outcome—it’s in having the courage to embrace uncertainty.

A heartwarming contemporary fantasy about taking risks, facing fears, and opening your heart to life's infinite possibilities—even when you have no idea what comes next.

Excerpt from Chapter One of Goddess Game by Sheila Lee Brown:

“I need to get there!”

Thirty-eight-year-old Bethany stood in front of the corn chips in the snack aisle at the Village Pantry, struggling with the always tough decision of mild versus medium salsa. The annoyed voice startled her. She then felt a jolt as her cart, which was positioned to her side, jerked towards her. She had a hand resting on the handle and could stop it before impact.

Bethany turned to see an older woman riding one of the motorized carts. Bethany frowned but gave the lady the benefit of doubt, thinking that maybe the device wasn’t easy to maneuver and it had been an accident. She was proven wrong when the woman grimaced and lurched forward again, jarring her cart once more.

“I don’t have all day,” the woman shrieked. “Move it or be moved!”

Bethany gripped the handle of her cart as if she were dangling over a cliff-side. Letting go would be perilous. Her chest tightened with the familiar mix of panic and frustration that came with these situations.

I’m in control, she told herself.

She felt a mix of emotions rolling through her body as every muscle tightened, readying for confrontation. It seemed lately that it was harder and harder to avoid these inconvenient interactions, despite her best efforts.

Here she was, shopping on a Monday afternoon, hoping to avoid the rush of after-work shoppers or those that shopped on the weekend. Having her groceries delivered was becoming more and more appealing. If only she could trust the shoppers to not just grab a random avocado off the pile without checking it for ripeness! She didn’t.

I’m in control, she repeated to herself.

She wasn’t sure how much she believed that, but the thought had a calming effect. Every time she had an unplanned interaction like this, she felt an unexplainable, wild fear and an anger at having her peace disturbed.

Bethany forced herself to take a deep, calculated breath. It gave her just enough distance from her emotions to do what she needed to do. The next action was as natural as exhaling.

Bethany allowed her gaze to shift slightly out of focus, backing out of the moment and into what she called the “safe room” in her mind. The fear and anger didn’t touch her here. She paused to enjoy the peace of escaping the “real world.”

Her safe room was a small, empty square room—like a bedroom, but without doors or windows. The walls and floor were white, though the ceiling was as dark as a night sky.

On the wall she was facing, several images appeared. It reminded Bethany of video options in an online search. And that was sort of what they were—snippets of potential futures that were based on her next actions. She could see the first few seconds of each one—there were probably a dozen—and she gave them a quick once over to see if any stood out.

Time stood still in this place and while she didn’t need to decide quickly, she wanted to get out of the situation and move on with her life. Bethany had never tested out how long she could stay there, and sometimes she considered that if she grew too overwhelmed with life, she could just step out indefinitely. That would be trippy. After a few hundred years in the safe room, would she even remember what she was stepping back into?

Today wasn’t the day to find out. Bethany was looking forward to a chill night of binge-watching. That seemed more entertaining than sitting in her mental safe space.

The videos populating the wall organized themselves. Bethany thought of this part as a filter for “most relevant.” She began looking over the top ten.

The first three videos were a hard pass, though in her current mood they were somewhat appealing. In one, she took all the items out of the woman’s basket and put it on the top shelf and walked away. It was such a wrong thing to do, truly mean, but Bethany let herself watch it longer than she should. It ended up in a confrontation with three more customers who saw what Bethany did and wanted her to apologize to the lady. So, a nope on that one.

In another, Bethany moved out of the way, but then followed the woman around the store, ramming into her motorized cart every time she stopped. This choice led to a confrontation with the store manager and being banned from the store. Again, another no.

One looked like a heated verbal assault. Bethany skipped right over it without even listening in. Even though the woman could be nicer, Bethany didn’t want to get any further entangled with her than she was currently. She needed the path of least resistance, at least for the next ten to fifteen minutes, and she finally saw it. She sighed to herself. It was an obvious response, of course, but not satisfying in the least.

“I’m sorry,” Bethany said with a smile that she hoped was convincing. “It’s all yours. And might I say that is a lovely sweater you’re wearing?”

Bethany did her best to sound authentic, though the sweater looked like a dog had eaten it, threw it up, and the woman had decided to wear it as a reflection of her personality.

Just as she witnessed in her safe room video, the compliment confused the woman and gave Bethany enough time to pull her cart backwards, turn it around and bolt in the opposite direction, still strangling the cart handle with her grip. No salsa today. She’d have to settle for eating plain corn chips.

At least she shouldn’t have to worry about engaging with the woman again. That outcome didn’t leave any residue of anger for the woman to want to act on. Bethany still had hers, though. One downside to using the safe room to avoid uncomfortable situations was that Bethany had to repress a lot of annoyance and anger to act her way out of the situation. She usually went home and burned it off with some intense yoga or other exercise. These days, she was in fantastic shape for being nearly forty years old.

More and more often, she was removing herself as quickly as she could. She didn’t have the patience or interest in seeing if there was anything more for her to gain from the situation. Playing the shifting-reality game with strangers was more work than she was willing to put in.

Guest Post:

While researching my novel, I happened to come across...

Goddess Game has been in my mind and percolating since around 2012. It started to become more of the story that is now in 2014, although I didn’t complete it until late 2024. On June 24, 2014, I wrote the following in my evening journaling:

I had an idea this evening on the drive home about time travel. I was thinking that I learned to time travel because I can sit through a situation, withdraw to the present moment, analyze my emotions, and see if they will serve the future I wish to create and then act from that place. If I realize that I want to respond in a way that punishes someone, I can actually choose to move forward to the place in time where I can see the situation differently and go ahead and let it be that way instead of going through the pain that can be involved in waiting for time to pass and anger to dissipate on its own. This is a fascinating concept. And useful. I was thinking it might be an interesting idea for a story. I just do not know where it would go…

The next paragraph in my writing was an attempt at sketching out the idea from a character’s point of view:

I realized that I could time travel today. It just wasn’t how I expected it would be. I imagine it isn’t how many people would expect it to be. I first noticed it after Jasmine apologized to me about the argument we had the day before at work. She admitted that she had been wrong to go to our boss about the scheduling problem instead of talking with me first. My first instinct was to go all smug and say, “That’s right! You should have come to me first. Instead you had to be a big baby about it...” But even as I was thinking the words, I felt a shift and events spinning forward in time. I saw Jasmine getting angry all over again and a friendship ruined for nearly a year before making up when we got pushed together on a project and, then, we wondered how we ever argued over something so silly.

The main issue was that if someone could see the future, wouldn’t they just choose the best path? And, would that negate the learning they needed to fully understand why one choice would be better than another?

I had an English professor recommend that I read Siddhartha by Herman Hesse. I picked it up right away and read through it quickly. I was disappointed because I thought that surely someone raised with access to all that knowledge wouldn’t have to take the detours into materialism before finding his path to enlightenment.

Now that I am older and have had more life experience, I understand the power of living through something and having it reveal who you are. Ideally, a person also discovers the inner power to become what they want to be as well.

Write about a personal experience

I think reading is the seed that grows writers. I often saw my mom sitting on the couch and reading. It seemed a natural thing to do.

By the time I made it to junior high school, I had already read quite a bit. I was intrigued that words on a page could cause me to feel things. It really was like experiencing different lives.

About this same time period, I decided that I wanted to try my hand at writing a short story that would cause the reader to cry. I had an idea and I went to work. I suppose I had a natural instinct for framing, because the story began and ended with the same sentence:

“Don’t cry. I’ll be your friend.”

I find it funny now that I began it with a request to not do the very thing that I hoped the reader would do.

The story itself was about what you would expect from a 7th or 8th grader. It told the story of two kids that meet on the first day of school and they become best friends. Later, one of them dies from an illness and it causes the other to go on and become a doctor. The end of the story happens as the doctor dies, and he’s in the afterlife all alone and thinking about the patients that were still in his care and the things left undone in his life. In his despair at this turn of events and aloneness in the voice, he sits and begins to cry – much like on his first day of school. That’s when he feels the hand on his shoulder and…

Writing that story was a fun experiment. I watched my sister’s face as she read, looking for the slightest twitch of emotion. As she hit the ending, the tears began to flow. It was a success!

To this day, my sister will tell you that it was a great story. I’ve read it since then, and I know it really isn’t, but the emotions she attached to it have stayed with her all these years.

That’s the magic of writing. It’s also what inspires me to continue.

Write about a trend or your genre

Writing a book in the domain of women’s literature has caused me to look at myself in a different way. I am a woman, and I am feminine in a lot of ways, but I am also not what I would describe as girly or interested in the things that marketing companies say that women should like. I don’t wear make-up. I am not a big shopper. My husband has more shoes than me. The color pink makes my eye twitch. I also was a Park Ranger for five years and you have to be a certain sort of person to do that job.

I’m not pointing all that out because I think anything is wrong with those interests or that I’m somehow better because I don’t enjoy those things. (By the way, I may not have purses, but backpacks…oh, my…I love a good backpack!). I mention all that because I was nervous about writing a women’s literature book and potentially not sharing enough commonality to connect with readers.

I enjoyed the idea around Goddess Game and pushed on. The theme of working through and learning from life challenges actually gives us the tools and confidence we need to achieve all that we want in life was relevant to me as I was writing it. It also is a message that fits any human experience – not just women.

It was important to me that the characters feel like people anybody might know and that no one was an outright enemy. The conflict takes place within Bethany, and, while there are reflections of that in her outside life, there is no one out to get her. The only person keeping her from living her best life is herself.

This really hit home with me and I hope it does with readers as well. When we take on shifting areas of our life, things may get chaotic, and sometimes going back to what is comfortable seems safest.

However, whether we are successful or not, we’re always learning and growing. Take the win or take the knowledge. Both are gains.

Author Q & A

On writing:

Which was the hardest character to write? The easiest?

In Goddess Game, Fiona was the hardest character to write. I had to maintain a balance of her not violating Bethany’s freewill. She was there for guidance but not in a way that doesn’t allow Bethany to gain the knowledge she needs.

In your book you make a reference to a series of dreams. How did you come up with this idea?

In my book Goddess Game, there are a series of dreams that Bethany has that indicate her progress. These were based loosely on recurring dreams that I have had in my life. I have had times when I was lucid in those dreams and tried to control it and things just got worse later on. I also had an experience similar to the last major dream that she had. I just hope I captured it in a way that is as impactful for the reader as it was for me.

Where do you get inspiration for your stories?

My ideas come from a variety of places. Sometimes they are inspired by dreams. Life is so random and varied that often an experience or observation will begin germinating the beginnings of a story. I know I’m onto something when my brain goes, “Oh, that’s fun!” That doesn’t mean that the idea has to be light or silly. For me, it means the exploration of that idea is stretching my creativity in some way.

What advice would you give budding writers?

Make sure you take the time to learn the business around writing so you can make the best choices and save yourself a lot of time and headaches. Just know it takes time.

Do you have another profession besides writing?

I occasionally do freelance work to include bookkeeping, virtual assistant, editing, and graphic design.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing since junior high. I won an English award in high school and a fiction award in college. Then, life happened, and I only wrote in spurts, publishing a few short stories. I tried to get serious about writing around 2009, again in 2018, and finally began making headway in 2023.

Do you ever get writer’s block? What helps you overcome it?

I had a “Write on Purpose” coach for about a year. We didn’t talk about the craft of writing. It was more of an exploration of why I wanted to write and getting so clear about it that I will push through anything to continue. For me, writer’s block usually means I don’t know something or have the tools for the current challenge I’m facing. So, I find the tools or research or read or free write – whatever seems to be the best fit, but taking action is key.

What is your next project?

I have sequels to two previous books that I wrote that I would like to complete before summer 2025. The more books I complete, though, the more I am learning about my process, and I don’t want to rush anything. I’ll take it one book at a time. The first one in the pipeline is a continuation of a sci-fi story for teens.

What is the last great book you’ve read?

I really enjoyed Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. It surprised me and delighted me. It was fun and thought-provoking.

How are you similar to or different from your lead character?

I have a lot of similarities to my lead character in Goddess Game. Bethany and I both struggle with taking risks for fear of failure. However, it is in the failing that we often learn the most. So, I’m here for it, whatever may come.

What were the biggest rewards and challenges with writing your book?

Honestly, I forced myself into a deadline that may have been a little too constricting. I wish I had maybe given myself one more month to expand more on characters and the situation.

In one sentence, what was the road to publishing like?

I love learning, so I found the process fun. Some parts are tedious, but there is a Zen to just getting to work and checking things off the to-do list.

On rituals:

Where do you write?

I’ve finally reached the pinnacle of existence – I have my own office/room in my house. There, I have my desk, a reading nook, my electric piano, and a closet full of crafting supplies and equipment. It is glorious.

Do you write every day?

I write in spurts and not necessarily every day. I know logically consistency and habits are the means to accomplishing great things. I also find allowing myself to flow almost spontaneously on some days feeds something in my soul and helps me come back to routine refreshed and energized.

What is your writing schedule?

During the times when I have done all my preliminary work and am ready to just write, I like to do so in the morning. I will typically write as much as I can with short 10-15 minute breaks every hour to stretch my legs, get water, and check on my dog. If I really feel inspired, I will continue writing through the afternoon. I do my best to stop around 5 PM-ish so I can spend time with my family in the evening.

Is there a specific ritualistic thing you do during your writing time?

I do like to begin with a 5-minute free write to clear my mind. I then do a 10-minute free write to get my thoughts organized around what I’m about to work on. Then, I get to work.

In today’s tech savvy world, most writers use a computer or laptop. Have you ever written parts of your book on paper?

I’m a doodler. I don’t write out parts of my stories on paper, but I love a good brainstorming session with pen and paper. It can become a lovely collage of written ideas scribbled with arrows criss-crossing here and there as well as weird cartoons.

Fun stuff:

If you could go back in time, where would you go?

Well, there are folks that say Atlantis existed here on Earth and that they had technology that surpassed what we currently have. That would be interesting to see. Where do I sign up, please?

Favorite travel spot?

I love the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina. The area is beautiful and calming.

Favorite dessert?

Peanut butter mixed with a little maple syrup and cacao powder topped with coco-whip and sprinkled with chocolate chips. Delicious.

If you were stuck on a deserted island, which 3 books would you want with you?

I think I would have to go with How to Survive on a Desert Island, Ask and it is Given, and my old college textbook, Anthology of American Literature.

Any hobbies? or Name a quirky thing you like to do.

I enjoy making things. Currently, I make soap, my own deodorant, notebooks, sublimated items, bowl cozies, backpacks, etc.

If there is one thing you want readers to remember about you, what would it be?

I want everyone to experience the joy of who they are.

What is something you've learned about yourself during the pandemic?

In January 2020, just before everything went really off the rails, I started my training at the police academy (I had been hired as a Park Ranger in 2019 and becoming a sworn peace officer was required). I learned that I could survive just about anything in any circumstance once I decide to do it.

What is your theme song?

“They Stood Up for Love” by Live

What song is currently playing on a loop in your head?

“They Stood Up for Love” by Live. At any given moment, I might even start singing it out loud. It always makes me smile and feel joyful. My dog and husband may feel otherwise.

What is your go-to breakfast item?

Currently, a chocolate-peanut butter protein bar.

What is the oldest item of clothing you own?

My paternal grandfather died when I was in high school. It may sound odd, but he was a small man and had lots of clothes that he hadn’t even worn. My grandmother let me take whatever I wanted – a bunch of wildly patterned pajamas, some blue corduroy pants, a thin gray pullover sweater with thin stripes, and the coolest brown jacket I have ever owned. I wore the pajamas to pieces, but I still have the pants, the sweater and the jacket. I think of my grandfather every time I see them in my closet. And, occasionally, I still wear the sweater because it’s cool. These items are well over 30 years old. I also have a thin, black sweater that belonged to my great grandmother. It’s possibly over 50 years old. It’s possible I may need to shop for new clothes.

What is the strangest way you've become friends with someone?

I was attending a chainsaw certification class (I was a Park Ranger at the time) and I met a woman that worked in maintenance at another park. We hit it off right away – joking around and talking excitedly about making things. We were in another training together (Wilderness Search and Rescue) and the trainer thought we must have known each other since we were children, but it was only the second time we had met.

Who was your childhood celebrity crush?

Joey Lawrence when he was on Blossom. “Whoa!” I can’t believe I just answered that.

Author bio:

Sheila Lee Brown is a writer, artist, and generally very curious person. She spent her childhood playing outdoors in the woods surrounding her home and making up stories with her three siblings. She has tried several careers including teaching high school and becoming a Park Ranger. Sheila currently lives with her husband and their dog and enjoys writing, reading, drawing silly cartoons, and always learning and growing.

Website: http://www.tz-books.com.

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